
Author . 



Title 



Imprint. 



Xe— 47872-2 SPO 



Reminiscences of the War 
1861-1865 



liV I'HILIP F. BUO\V\. 



1 had been living in Petersburg not quite a year, 
when the question of seeeeding from the Union was the 
absorbing topic of the day. 

In niv youthful and humble iudunient it was thought 
very unwise to do so, though believing we had a consti- 
tutional right to that end. 

] was importuned by friends in various military or- 
ganizations to become a member, Init declined until 
Virginia in her severign capacity passed the act of 
secession April 17th, 18G1. 

Prior to the call of President Lincoln on X^irginia, to 
furnish her quota of militar}" troops to coerse the South- 
ern States back into the Union, from which they had 
already seceeded, the C onvention at Kicliuiond was over- 
whelmingly in favor of remaining peacefully in the Union. 
But wlieii tile gauntlet of war was cast into the arena of 
del)ate, it instantly changed this convention from its for- 
mer i)eacefTd attitude to one of defiance, and the act of 
secession promi)tly became a law. 

The next morning 1 volunteered in the " 1>" (Jrays of 
Petersburg, and on the 20th of A])ril, 1S()1, we boarded a 
train enroute to Norfolk. Our organization was then 
known as the "Petersburg Batillion" comj)rising two 
comi)ani('s of (irays, A and P>, each lOS men. the '"City 
Guard," " rctersburg HiHes, " and the "Xichols, I>attery 
of Ai'tillei-y." The whole of Petersburg seemed to hav^ 
turned out on that eventl'ul April morning to bid us fare- 
well, and mingled with tears, bamiers and handkerchiefs 
waving, we sped away, over the Petersbui-g and Xorfolk 
P. P., as it was then known. 



We found Norfolk in wild excitement; the Gosport 
Navy Yard was burning, and soon after dark, a large man- 
of-war with a light swinging at every port-hole moved 
slowly, but majestically, down Elizabeth River to For- 
tress Monroe. We were quartered at various places for 
a few days, but finally crossed over to the Marine hos- 
pital, located at Ferry Point, now known as Berkeley. 

Tents were scarce, and the men were permitted to 
make the best plans they could for sleeping accommoda- 
tions. In our mess of five, were John Dunlop (known as 
English John); Donald Dunlop, Sam'l Hatcher, Pat Mc- 
Culloch and myself.* 

We rented a room near the grounds of the hospital, 
and, with mattresses lying on the floor, )nade ourselves* 
fairly comfortable, for soldier life. 

"English John," however, wrote to Petersburg for 
his rubber mattress which he inflated with air, by means 
of a bellows. His brother Doncey and I were lying on 
our hard mattress, when Doncey whispered in my ear, 
' ' Phil, I am going to play a prank on John, as soon as he 
is sound asleep." It was not long before John's deep 
breathing gave evidence of his being "enveloped in the 
arms of Morpheus." Doncey quietly and stealthily crept 
to the luxurious bed, and unscrewed the tap that let the 
air gradually escape, and put John to the floor. His head 
lowering first, caused sonorous sounds that amused us 
greatly, and it was all we could do to withhold our risi- 
bles, John's discomfort finally awoke him, and, in his 
English brogue, said: "This blasted thing had sprung 
a leak," Our snickering could not be suppressed, and, 
finding the tap off, he quickly conjectured that mischief 
was the cause. He entered into the joke with a humor 
that indicates a well-balanced mind, and he was soon 
again resting comfortably, with our assurance that noth- 



•After the war closed Joliii Dunlop commenced the practice of law and 
was counsel for Mr. Ginter, the wealtliy tobacconist, of Richmond. He died 
in 1901. Donald Dunlop, living in Baltimore. Sam'l Hatcher was wounded 
at Manassas and died in Memphis. Pat McCulloch was killed in battle 
( f Eleven Pines. 



iug of the kind would again be perpetrated on him. 

Soon after reaching Ferry Point I was placed on a 
detail to search for a supposed spy, who had been seen 
returning about daylight, for several mornings, from the 
direction of Fortress Monroe. Tlie search was fruitless 
so far as finding the supposed spy was concerned. 

The house was near the bank of the Elizabeth river, 
not far from a bridge, then known as Hardy's, that cross- 
ed a branch of the river, nearly opposite the present site 
of the Norfolk & "Western passenger station. The detail, 
which was composed of a non-commissioned officer, and 
about six privates, as well as I can remember, passed the 
entire day in lounging about the bridge. I thought it a 
little singular that no post of duty was assigned to any 
one, but, as dark approached the sergeant placed me in 
the rear of the suspected house, and designated it as post 
No. 1. I walked my beat in true military form. It was 
my first experience on guard, and I expected to be re- 
lieved when two hours expired. As the clock in Norfolk 
dolefully struck ten, I expected every minute to hear the 
welcome "tramp, tramp" of the relief guard, but was 
sadly disappointed. After waiting for nearly half an 
hour I commenced to call for the corporal of the guard, 
post No. 1. In vain did I- call, and the echo across the 
Avater seemed to laugh at my dilemma. I began to stag- 
ger like a man intoxicated, for want of sleep almost ren- 
dered me unconscious. A skiff that had been pulled up 
on the beach, out of reach of the advancing tide, offered 
an inviting seat, but I knew full well that, if I dared to 
take it I would be fast asleep in a few minutes, and I also 
loiew enough of military law to be aware of the penalty 
put on a soldier found asleep at liis post. The hour of 
eleven, and then the monotonous strokes of twelve, came 
sounding dolefully over the calm waters of the river, and 
yet no relic^f. The flowing tide crept slowly up the sandv 
beach, the seeping, sipping sound broke sootliingly on my 
nerves, while an occasional splash from s]iortivo crabs, 
or some big fish chasing a smaller one, gave me a uuimon- 
lary shock, as T staggtM'cd along my lonely beat. A liulit 



log had settled over the water, obscuring the lights of 
Norfolk, and the mercury commenced to drop, making 
it necessary to quicken my step to keep up a good circu- 
lation. I have frequently been tempted to calculate the 
number of miles I must have walked that night. 

Soon after the Norfolk clock had sounded two, a 
lumber yard in Portsmouth sent a lurid light through 
the thickening fog, and the flames could be seen darting 
their fiery tongues above the gray mist. The light awak- 
ened the inmates of the house, and I could hear slurring 
remarks made about the sentinel on the beach. They 
were all females and children, therefore, no resentment 
could be made of their remarks, as they poked their heads 
from the second story window. In al)out an hour the 
light died away, and the darkness seemed l)lacker than 
before, though there was enough light to enal)le me lo 
observe objects fifteen or twenty feet distant. I felt a 
shock, as I dimly saw the outlines of an object crouching 
close to the house wall, and apparently stealthily ap- 
proaching me. Instantly my musket was "to port" and 
the challenge rang clear through the night air, "AVho 
comes there?" but no reply followed. Again the chal- 
lenge was given, with same results. Then placing my 
gun, I was about to draw bead, when a large Newfound- 
land dog gave a vigorous shake, as if to assure me that lie 
meant no harm. It was a great relief to feel that I had 
not murdered a ])oor innocent dog. This incident so 
startled me that it served to keep me awake the rest of 
the night, and, an hour later ,the gray streaks of the east- 
ern sky, gave the welcome sign of daybreak. 

As soon as it was light, I availed myself of the use 
of a ])ump in the yard. On Ihe platform surrounding it 
was a tin basin, in which I ])ut fresh water, and arranged 
my handkerchief for a towel. As I stooped to bathe n 
sudden gust of wind blew the ca]>e of my overcoat over 
my head, and 1 nuide a lunge for my musket, thinking 
someone was in the act of siezing me. 

When the sun arose. T felt nt liberty to leave my ]iost 
and rejiort to the ca])tain of my c()mi)any, who, in mili- 



lary routine reported the matter to Major Weisiger, aii<l 
i su])})ose the iioii-eoiniiiissioiied ot^'icer was rei)riiiianded. 

A few days later our batillion was sent to a spot 
opposite Gosport Navy Yard, called at that time "St. 
Helena" (now used by U. S. Goveritment as a drill 
ground), where a large number of columlnads had all been 
spiked. AVe were provided with axes, mattocks, etc., and 
told to clear away the undergrowth. While thus engag- 
ed, Orderly Sergeant Clias. Friend informed me that 
]\lajor Weisiger wished me to report at his tent at once. 
J did not have to be reminded again, for i was only too 
glad to relinquish the job I then had. 

On entering the Major's tent he handed me an offi- 
cial envelope and told me to take it to Colonel Anderson, 
chief of General Huger's staff, in the custom house, over 
in Norfolk. A ferryman soon rowed me across the river. 
On presenting the document to Colonel Anderson, he 
wrote a line or so on it, and told me to take it to Col. 
J. C. Pemberton (Inter promoted to Brigadier General 
and Major General), chief of ordinance on the floor above. 
1 found this officer busily engaged with several artillery 
officers. When an o])])ortunity offered-, \ handed the 
pn])er to him. After reading it, he courteously bade me 
to be seated. I was still grossly ignorant of the ]nirport 
of the message, and supposed Colonel Pemlierton was 
Avriting a reply. When through, he told me to write five 
copies of a general order relating to requisitions for artil- 
lery sup]ilies. This gave me the first insight to my ix)si- 
tion, and made me feel quite elated to be removed from 
1li(' lini-dsiiips of camp litV to a nice office in the custom 
lioiisc. 

I found Colonel I'ciiibci'ton to be a thorough genth'- 
man. who. Ilioiigh boiii in IMiiladclphi.-i, had married a 
Norfolk lady, and determined to throw his destiny with 
the South. He was a distinguished graduate of W(^st 
I'oint, and was >ei-ving in tlu^ r<'gular army when the wai- 
• •onnnenced. in less than two months after I was assign- 
(m1 to his olTic(^ he wa^; ])i-oiiioted to P>rigadiei- General. 
;?i(l oi-deivd to Smithfiehl. in command of the l-'irst Rriu- 



ade of Huger's Division. I was left in charge of liis of- 
fice in the custom house for several weeks, until Capt. 
W. V. Taylor was appointed ordinance officer. 1 liave 
always thought that my selection to this place by Colonel 
Weisiger was due to my ramaining on post without relief 
for ten consecutive hours. 

After the appointment of Captain Taylor, General 
Pemberton sent for me to come to Smithfield, where I was 
assigned to duty in the office of his adjutant general, 
Capt. Horace Morrison. I found Smithfield to be a most 
charming spot. The sociability of the cultured people, 
both young and old, captivated me, and I was loath to 
leave, when General Pemberton was again promoted to 
lieutenant general, and sent to Pocataligo, S. C, Gen. 
Colston took command, after the departure of General 
Pemberton, and I returned to Captain Taylor in Norfolk, 
and remained with him until the evacuation of that City. 

When the weather permitted, I would go out to the 
entrenched camp, on Harrison's farm, on Saturday after- 
noons, and spend Sunday with my comrades. It was on 
one of these visits, when the Merrimac made its attack 
and sunk the Congress and Cumberland. Sunday morn- 
ing, nearly the entire camp made its way to a place be- 
tween Sewell's and Lambert's Points, and Avitnessed the 
Naval battle between the Monitor and the Merrimac. The 
Minnesota was aground in shoal water, but continued to 
fire on the Merrimac. My duties in the ordinance depart- 
ment frequenty called me to the Navy Yard, and I al- 
ways felt a great interest in this iron craft, and never 
failed to visit it. I also visited all places where batteries 
were placed, to obtain a report of the ammunition, etc., 
on hand. It is not generally known that we had two im- 
mense masked guns mounted at Sewell's Point. I am 
under the impression we never used them. 

On the roof of the Custom House was a signal station 
in charge of Capt. "Jim" Milligan, and T frequently 
spent an hour or two in the aftei-noon watching the two 
blockading ships; Congress and Cnmborland, at the 



iiiuiitli of the James river, which were later destroyed by 
the Merrimac. 

in April, 1862, I left Norfolk on the last train that 
left the city, amid great excitement. The Xavy Yard 
was on fire, and the barracks of the entrenched camp, a 
few miles out of the city was also on fire. The man who 
applied the torch to the latter, dashed up to the train as 
it was moving off, and left his horse riderless, on the side 
of Lake Mahone. This lake has since been filled in, and 
several railroad tracks pass over the former space. It 
was after dark when our train arrived in Petersburg. Our 
feelings were not so boyant and hopeful as when we left 
the same place a little more than a year before. 

After remaining in Petersburg a week or ten days, 
our office was removed to Richmond. The battle of Sev- 
en Pines coming off soon after our arrival, and meeting 
many of my company comrades, some of whom were 
wounded in this battle, I determined to rejoin my com- 
mand, then located in White Oak Swamp, about fifteen 
miles below Richmond, on the Chickaliominy river. My 
determination to do so, came about after thinking ser- 
iously over what my record would be when the war closed, 
and I could only show a ''bomb-proof position." The 
next morning I shouldered my musket and started off to 
find the 12th Virginia Regiment. I had a long and wear- 
isome journey, that hot June day, and, when I entered 
camp in the afternoon a crowd soon surrounded me, to 
know what induced me to give up such a position. I told 
them that I could not bear to have it recorded in the his- 
tory of this war, that I did not share in any of the honors 
of the field, and its hardships. Some of the comrades 
iauglungly remarked they would willingly pay a thousand 
dollars for such a soft place. 

I found many sick, supposedly to be the result of im- 
pure drinking water, as nearly every mess owned a s{)ring, 
or, more properly speaking, a miniature well made by ex- 
cavating about two feet of earth, and finding one foot 
of pure looking water. We were poorly supplied with 
tents, and verv much crowded. 



Hvery luorning', before daylight, -a full company was 
'letailed to pass our pieket line, and "feel the enemy," 
the object being to prevent their slipping olf without 
our knowledge. It came to our turn al)out once a week, 
and, as we moved off in the dim light of dawning day, 
we were not permitted to carry a canteen, or speak a 
word above a whisper, after passing our pickets, the in- 
tention being to move up as stealthily as possible to the 
enemy's picket line. Frequently, we would approach 
within a few yards of them, before we were discovered, 
when a quick challenge would come, followed by a volley 
from their rifles. We seldom had anyone hurt, for they 
would fire at random, then "skeedaddle," and we would 
return to our camp in time to get breakfast. This was 
kept up until June 25th, when certain activities in camp 
gave evidence of approaching trouble. On the night of 
the 24th, our i)icket line was extended half a mile beyond 
its former position, but not until some time after dark, 
tlie utmost quiet being observed, and instructions given 
in a whisper, from one to the other. Our challenge was 
changed from, "Who comes there!" to a low whistle, 
and the countersign was two low whistles. Instructions 
were to fire on anyone who did not give this signal. We 
were deployed to the left of the Darbytown road, through 
a dense forest, and placed two and two, at intervals of 
jibout twenty steps. It proved a long and weary watch, 
without incident, save the rushing sound of an immense 
rocket as it soared on high, through the darkened sky, 
and exploded when nearly out of sight. My companion 
and I grew quite nervous, fearing it was some signal of 
the enemy to make an attack, l)ut, later, on our return to 
cam]), h^arned that it was our signal corps notifying 
Stonewall .Jackson, who was then arriving at Hanover 
Court House, where the right wing of our forces were 
located. 

On the morning of June 25th, 1862, we broke camp, 
in tlie White Oak Swamp, and marched cautiously down 
the Darbytown road, for about two miles, when we de- 
ployed to the left and formed into line behind a lot of 



10 



trees that had been cut, the sharp edges o[ which were 
pointing from ns. This, 1 snpi)ose, was done hy our en- 
gineering corps, to protect us from an anticipated attack, 
l)ut it was hite in the afternoon before the enemy made 
their appearance, and they were content to keep shy of 
our formidable abattis, but unlinibered several pieces of 
artillery and opened fire on us. After a few shots were 
n)ade, a command on our extreme right made a rush, and 
captured two of their guns, and then the order was given 
for us to follow into the fray. We double-quicked to a 
point beyond where the two pieces were captured, and 
halted on the edge of a thick growth of small pines, where 
a worn fence extended along the border. We could not 
see the enemy, but the bullets were knocking the bark 
from the small pines. In a few minutes, someone called 
out, ' ' Look to the left ! the yankees are flanking us ! " A 
large body was seen, double-quicking to our rear, evi- 
dently trying to cut us off from the main corps, as only a 
]:>attalion had been rushed to the point near the pines. 
We were ordered to ''fall back" and, as we did so, fresh 
troops came to our rescue, and the enemy wheeled and 
fled faster than they came. 

This was my first experience under fire, ami un- 
nerves tingled so, that night, that it was very late before 
I could fall asleep. Our bed was on the ground, with a 
rubber cloth to lie on. 

Next morning, we learned that, while we were making 
an attack on the enemy's extreme left wing, General 
-lackson had thrown his forces against McClellan's right, 
at Mechanicsville, and doubled them up in such form, as 
to hurl them in a pell mell rout. 

As well as I remember, we returned to our "White 
Oak Swamp" camp, and remained until the morning of 
the 27th when we left it forever. We were deployed, in 
line of battle, through the woods on the left of the Darby- 
town road. Xo doubt, other forces were marching in the 
same order on the right of this road, but, as to this, 1 do 
not know. 1 do know, however, that, by a sharp turn 
in the roadway, our right wing was forced across, when 



11 



siuldeiily a volley of musketry was popped away at it. 
As our colors were not in view, we were mistaken for 
the enemy, and haste was made to display them. Fortu- 
nate, the bullets did not reach us, and, after a short 
delay, we again started on our marcli. 

A short while before dark, our picket line, that was 
about thirty yards in our front, was fired upon Ijy the 
enemy. The bullets whistled over our heads, and the dry 
twigs from the pine trees dropped in profusion, but no 
one was hurt. 

We camped for the night, sleeping in the woods. 
The next morning, we resumed our line of march, but, 
owing to the topography of the country, our column 
kept the roadway. Soon, we encountered large trees 
that had been cut, and lapped across the road by the ene- 
my, but our engineer corps, which preceeded us, had them 
removed. We also discovered that a force of our cavalry 
was in our front, and consternation was produced for a 
few minutes, when we had to hastily clear the road to 
prevent being tramled over. They came at a rapid gallop, 
rmd passed to our rear. We thought they were "showing 
the white feather," and very uncomplimentary remarks 
were thrown at them. Later, we learned that it was a 
ruse to draw the enemy into an ambush but tliey did not 
drop into it. 

Our progress had been very slow this day, and tlie 
day following was laggardly pushed along. 

Rumors were current that Jackson's '^•ommand had 
routed the enemy, and that they were in a panic, retreat- 
ing down the Charles City road. \n the afternoon, we 
liad evidence of a complete rout: knapsacks were scat- 
tered along the way, rifles were thrown down, or broken 
by striking the butts against trees, and blankets and camp 
equipage marked their utter panic. 

In the afternoon of the 1st of July, weary and dust- 
covered, sweltering under the hot sun, we could hear the 
distant booming of cannon. Orders must have arrived 
for us to hasten on as we made better time than on any 
]irevious day. Xear four o'clock, we debouched in an 

12 



open field on our left, and crossed it at right oblique, 
passing a battery, the guns of which were still smoking 
but temorarily quiet. An exploded caisson gave evidence 
of hot work . 

The 12th Virginia formed a part of ALihone's Brig- 
ade. The others, as well as I remember, were the 6th, 
16th and 41st. We were halted immediately in front of 
£i wooded crest, that overlooked a deep ravine . 

I suppose ten minutes elapsed before General Magru- 
der, followed by a retinue of aids, galloped up to General 
Mahone, and, in a loud voice, commanded him to hold the 
position he then occupied, but returned in a few minutes 
and ordered Mahone to charge, and capture the enemy's 
batteries, in our front, at all hazards. General Mahone 
then ordered regiments, right and left, to close on the 
center, unsling knapsacks, and prepare to charge. This 
command was repeated all along the line. 

Knapsacks had been found cumbersome on our 
march, and were generally abandoned. We had come into 
possession of neat rubber cloths thrown away by the 
Federal army on its hasty retreat and our blanket, with 
change of clothing, was wrapped in this, the two ends 
tied, and thrown over our left shoulder, passing diagonal- 
ly over the breast, to the right hip. This enabled us- to 
keep our blanket and change of clothing with us on the 
firing line, and proved a great blessing to us that night, 
as will be mentioned hereafter. 

General Mahone and some of his staff left us for a 
short time to reconnoitre the lay of the land over which 
we were to make the charge. And it was well lie did. 
In place of leading us over the plateau just over the 
ravine, where the ground was literally strewn with the 
killed and wounded of five brigades, which liad charged 
these batteries before our arrival, and had been repulsed 
with fearful loss, we were moved into the skirt of the 
woods, then down the course of a little stream that was 
now discolored with the blood of the woundt'd iiieu who 
""'ere able to crawl to it. 

On reaching the foot hills of the itlate;ni iiirid io'icil, 

13 



we niarelu'tl at tiie l)a.se with a meadow ou our riglit 
about one-tourtli of a mile wide, on tlie skirts of wliieli 
was a dense forest. Here the enemy's sharp shooters 
were located, but their fire was very inaccurate; and, 1 
tliink, only one of our command (Ijieut. Antiiony Keely) 
was wounded, until we reached the top of the hill on 
which over two liundred cannon were planted. 

When we started on the move, at the base of the 
plateau, we encountered such large brier bushes, that 
our military organization was thoroughly broken, and 
every man rushed forward as best he could. 

Our line pushed a short distance over the crest, Init 
the fire of the enemy became so hot, we were forced to 
take refuge just under the brow; and from this place of 
vantage, we continued to rise and fire, then to drop down 
to reload. We were then using the Springfield musket of 
sixty-nine calibre. Three buckshots were fastened in 
front of the ball. We tore the paper powder ends oft' 
with our teeth, then rammed the charge home with the 
rod, and last placed the percussion cap on the tube. All 
this required time and caution. 

The dense smoke from the rapid artillery and mus- 
ketry fire formed a canopy and would occasionally ob- 
struct a view of the enemy. 

CUose by me on the right, stood LeKoy Edwards, of 
the Richmond Grays. Symington, of the same Com- 
juiny, received a bullet in his head and dropped dead 
close by. Blanks of the city guards also fell near me 
with a bullet through his heart. Lieutenant George 
Hawks, of Company C, was shot through his lungs and 
Sergeant Ben Grasset was badly wounded. 

There were many others, but 1 can't recall their 
names. 

The roar of the artillery was such, that our firing 
was hardly audible. When night came on, I had only five 
cartridges left; which indicated that my musket had been 
discharged twenty-seven times at the enemy. 

After dark, while our line remained under the crest 
of Malvern Hill, the artillery of the enemy continued 

14 



sending shot and shell fai- to our rear. The l)hizing- sabot 
Jihiinmed the sky, and she,[ a weird light over the ghastly 
field strewn with the dead and dying of the chivalry of the 
South, screams and groans, mingled with the roar of guns, 
made a sickening sound that can never he forgotten. 

About nine o'clock, the artillery fire had ceased, and 
tlie Federals, with innumerable lanterns, were searching 
our front, for their dead and wounded. 

Our line, on first ascending the hill, pushed tliirtv 
or forty yards over the crest, and one of our color guard 
was shot through the hip, and left where he fell. Others 
may have been killed or wounded, but it was impossible 
to tell. I only know that, with three other companions, 
we ventured through our picket line, in search of the 
above mentioned comrade. The enemy, with theii- lan- 
terns, looked as numerous as lightning bugs, in a mead- 
ow, on a June night, and, being onlv about fiftv yards 
distant, the reflected light aided us to find our companion 
A\e had nothing but a rubber cloth to place beneath, and, 
m attempting to raise him, the pain was so great, that he 
screamed in agony, ''Put me down! Put me down!" Our 
efforts, in subdued tones, to quiet him, attracted the 
attention of the guard attending the Federal ambulance 
corps, and a quick fire of musketry opened upon us. We 
laid down beside our wounded friend, to avoid the flviiig 
bullets, which fortunately, passed harmlesslv by. 

In the meantime, our picket line resented the fire from 
tlie Federal front, and returned it with energy. For a 
few minutes, it had every ai)iiearan('e of a night battle. 

We covered our com])anioii with a blanket, and com- 
menced a perilous return to oui- coiiiiuand. The night 
was very dark, and that, with the excited condition of our 
jucket line, made it necessary to ap]u-oacli very cautious- 
ly. Crawling stealthily, and in a whis])er saving 'Twelfth 
Virginia! Twelfth Virginia!', we finally passed' into our 
lines again. 

Soon after our ivturn, we were coiifidtMit fresh troops 
were coming to our assistance, caused bv the pi('k,.ts firing 
at each other. The command, "Forwaid (luide (vut.'H 



15 



charge!" rang clear above the groans and screams of the 
wounded; but this proved to be some officer in the de- 
lirium of pain, repeating no doubt, the last order before 
being wounded. 

I can readily recall seeing General William Mahone 
and Ueneral AVright of Georgia standing by a small fire, 
at the side of a gully, short distance in our rear. This 
was about ten o'clock, and it had grown quite chilly. 
Those of us who were fortunate enough to have rubber 
cloths, found them very useful before morning, as it com- 
menced raining, and, before daylight, the ground was 
saturated where we had slept. 

Soon after daybreak, we looked over the brow of the 
hill, where we could plainly see a line of cavalry facing 
us. They had on -long overcoats, with broad capes, and 
looked fierce and formidable, causing a feeling of uneasi- 
ness, for we were in too sad a plight to resist a charge. 
Shortly afterwards, we heard the tramping of horses and 
the jingling of swords; to our delight they were retreat- 
ing from the field, and this raised our drooping spirits 
to a point of enthusiasm, as it left us the victors. 

During the night, we had seen signals moving up and 
down on what we supposed to be signal towers, but, with 
daylight, found the enemy's gun boats were in the river 
below, and this accounted for some of the immense shells 
that exploded during the battle of the previous afternoon. 
Before leaving the field, that rainy morning, many of 
us walked over a portion of the ground where the battle 
liad raged fiercest. At some places, we found Southern 
dead among the Northern, showing where the tide of 
))attle ebbed and flowed. Near a gate that opened from 
the woods, to the plateau, was where one of our batteries 
opened but met w^ith disaster, as every horse seemed to 
have been killed, and several pieces dismounted, and a 
large numl)er of men lying stilf and cold in death. 

When we marched about one mile back, to prepare 
our breakfast, we passed many ghastly sights, of men 
evidently struck by fragments of shell, or solid shot, tear- 
ing away the face from the body, others in a sitting pos- 

16 



tiire, with head thrown back, and the rain dripping from 
their cold, pallid features. Oh, who can wish for war, 
Vv'lien sncli scenes are burnt into the brain! My eyes are 
dim with tears as I recall these heartrending scenes. 

After arms were stacked, ranks were broken, to ob- 
tain what we conld, for breakfast. Our commissary had 
been enriched by many articles captured from the enemy; 
and we fared comparatively well. Owing to the cold and 
wet clothing, a gill of whiskey was issued to each man. It 
was the first time I ever swallowed a drink of straight 
whiskey, but it did me a sight of good, for it warmed my 
system, and gave courage to hunt up wood. Soon a rous- 
ing fire dried our clothing, and appetites were sharp for 
breakfast. 

As well as I remember, the rain continued at inter- 
vals, for two days; and, on the third, our connnand was 
niarched to the south side of James river, crossing on a 
pontoon bridge, not far from Drewry's Bluff. AVe re- 
mained there untill the middle of August, 1862, when we 
marched over the Petersburg turnpike, into Richmond 
where we boarded box freight cars, and landed at Louisa 
Court House about ten o'clock at night. No provision 
for seats were in the box cars; consequently, we had to 
stand or sit on the floor, a very uncomfortable position, 
you may know. 

On arriving at the point above mentioned, we were 
permitted to find a resting place wherever we could. My 
file-closing companion, Sam Hatcher, and I spread our 
ru))ber cloths (one on the floor, the other to cover with,) 
on the porch of a store near the railroad, and were soon in 
a sound sleep. 

About ten o'clock next morning, we were marching 
through the ''Green Spring section, and, just before noon, 
while the command was enjojdng a few minutes, a lad 
of al)()ut fourteen years old, on horseback, with a basket 
in front rode leisurely along the line stopping at intervals, 
making an iiuiuiry. When about twenty yards away. I 
heard my name called, and at once recognized my young 
friend, B. Rush Cowherd, of Columbia, who Avas on a visit 

17 



to his aiuit, Miss Amanda KSiiioot, aud had been commis- 
sioned by her, to take a basket of daintily prepared pro- 
visions, aud a bottle of fresh buttermilk, to the writer. 
T will not deny that my pen had informed her of the fact, 
that the command to which l was attached, would pass 
through her county, and her thoughtful kindness, in 
remembering me in such a generous way, has often been 
the source of happy thoughts of those eventful days. 
Selecting a few of my intimate companions, we repaired 
to a nearby spring, and enjoyed the tempting viands, all 
voting a thousand thanks to the fair donor and the noble 
little messenger, who is now a matured man of family, 
..iid-a bank president in Columbia. 

Our march through Louisa, Orange, Culpepper, Rap- 
pahannock, Fauquier, and Loudoun, where we crossed 
the Potomac, a few miles north of Leesburg was attended 
with many hardships, which will be mentioned to the best 
of my recollection. Our daily marching over the hot and 
dusty roads blistered the back of our necks so, that it 
was painful to raise the head, and our w^arm clothing 
chafed our limbs to a pitiable condition, while our feet 
were tortured by the heat and dust to such an extent 
that we were forced to walk in bare feet with shoes tied 
together, and thrown over our rifles. You will observe 
that we were now armed witli Enfield rifles, most of 
which were the trophies of war, captured from the enemy 
during the Seven Days' fighting around Richmond. 
AVhile marching under the sweltering August skies, some 
wag would exclaim, '0, my country, how 1 bleed for thee!' 
Immediately it would be taken up, and repeated down the 
line, then back again, but never in a seditious or comi)lain- 
ing way, for a trurer or more loyal set of men never 
mnrched beneath a l)anner. Often the heat would become 
so unendurable, tliat a halt would be called, and rest taken 
until late in tlie afternoon, when we would resume our 
marching until late at night, and start again early in the 
morning. Frequently our wagon train was several days 
behind, owing to the congested condition of the roads, and 

18 



we had to subsist largely upon what we could obtain 
tdoug tlie road. 

1 often wonder if Capt. Cameron, Adjt. of the 12th 
Virginia, remembers meeting me as I was emerging from 
;i cornfield with my arms full of rather short roasting ears ? 
Assuming as much dignity as possible, and trying to look 
very stern he said, "Phil, General Mahone has sent word 
to arrest every man found in this corfield," I smiling- 
ly handed him half a dozen of my trophies with the re- 
mark that "they are rather small, but hope you may en- 
joy them. ' ' 

There was a mischevious twinkle in his eye that he 
could not conceal. 

Four or five days after leaving Louisa Court House, 
w^e arrived at the little town of Jeft'ersonton, in Kappa- 
hannock, where we made several attempts to cross the 
river of the same name, but the enemy's artillery kept up 
a hot fire, and the _ impression gained upon us, that we 
were aiming to deceive the enemy by pretensions. 

I recall very vividly, a days march through Culpeper, 
no water could be had along the road, and the dust had so 
completely covered us, that it was only by the voice that 
we could recognize one another. It was about nine or ten 
o'clock at night, when we reached the little village of 
Stevensburg, and a wild rush was made to secure drink- 
ing water. 

So nuiny troops were ahead of us that the wells were 
exhausted, and the bucket would have to remain at the 
bottom ten or fifteen minutes, before drawing, and then 
it had a milky color, as seen by the starlight. 

Next morning on our line of march, we could see the 
body of a spy dangling from a tree on the roadside. 
Rumor said he brought General Jenkins a forged order, 
directing him to cross the Rapidan at another point than 
Raccoon Ford, which would have led our troops into an 
;iiHl)uscade. 

As well as T can now remember, our next resting 
place was the little town of .Teffersonton, short distance 
Soutli of tli»' Ivappaliauiiock river. 

19 



Here we were informed that the advance guard of 
Tope's great army had arrived in Warrentoii on the north 
i^ide of the river, and it was not long before Ihey sent over 
a few shell, as feelers. 

Vol. Frank linger 's l)attery was ordered to reply and 
+he twelfth Virginia sent to its support while in action; 
tile intervening forest prevented the gunners from seeing 
each other, therefore the enemy's shell came sailing 
through the sky at random (they were nearly spent) and 
waddled as if they would fall on our line, but happily 
they would pass some distance to our rear. 

Late in the afternoon we left the little town, after 
making several feints as if we intended to force a pas- 
sage of the river. 

We marched in a northwestern direction, and short- 
ly after dark, a light rain commencing to fall, we were 
halted, presumably for the night. Kubber cloths were 
stretched on sticks, stuck firmly in the ground and jolly 
songs were sung, as we dried the forest leaves around the 
fire, under our improvised shelter. In due course of time, 
we snugly laid down to rest, on our bed of leaves, and soon 
in a sound sleep. Then, suddenly, we were startled by the 
long rattle of the rolling drum, quickly fonned into line, 
and marched oil* through the drizzling rain, along a dark 
and muddy road. We forded the Rappahannock several 
miles above the place where we attempted to cross in the 
morning. 

It was now realized that we were on a forced march, 
to turn the right flank of Pope's Grand Army, and we were 
making quick time. The third night after leaving Jetfer- 
sonton, we were passing through Thorougiifare Ga|), and, 
about ten o'clock, the order was given to rest for two 
hours, l)ut not to remove accoutrements. At inidiiight, 
we started off again, and continued our weary tramp, so 
exhausted we could hardly walk, and, wlien a tem]ioary 
lialt was caused by some obstruction, our men would fall 
instantly to the ground for rest. Before <layUght, we 
were passing over the battle ground of the day previous, 

20 



where Jackson's men had been pushing tlie enemy, auii 
dead bodies could be seen every few yards . 

Just as day was breaking, we were iialted, and in- 
stantly sought rest m a skirt of pines along ihe roadside; 
and, I suppose, four-fifths of the men were asleep in three 
minutes. But our rest was of short duration: in a whisper 
down the line, came the word that we were on our advanc- 
ed picket line, and the enemy, in large numbers, was not 
fifty yards away. We were ordered to keep in the woods, 
holding hands on canteens, to prevent sounds, and fall 
back, without speaking a word above a whisper. We re- 
traced our weary steps about one and a half miles and 
stacked arms, with the hope of getting breakfast. 

So far as I was concerned, I had no appetite for sev- 
eral days. I was suffering from jaundice, the whites of 
my eyes had a yellow hue, and my complexion, also, was 
affected the same way. My companions urged me to take 
the hospital ambulance, but at a time when a battle was 
imminent, I felt that my honor would be lost, if I did so. 
However, if my appetite had been good, I would not have 
gotten my breakfast. 

As the order was about to be given to ''break ranks" 
a courier rode up, with a dispatch to General Malione, 
and, in place of breaking ranks, we were to retake arms 
and march again over ground we had twice covered the 
same morning. But this time we were only moved half 
the distance of our early adventure. We were formed in 
a long line of battle with other brigades on our right and 
left. 

Half a mile in our front could be seen another long 
fine of battle, stretching over the undulating hills, then 
liid from sight by intervening knolls and N-allej'S, rising 
in sinuous shai)e, far away to the right and left. Now and 
then a battery of artillery would gallop to some promi- 
nent point, and a rapid duel of field pieces jnade a thrill- 
ing prelude to the great Second Battle of Manassas, that 
was soon to l)e fought. 

For five or more hours, we laid in the broiling hot sun, 

21 



ill this i()n*> line, so weary that many of ns slept half the 
time. 

About three o'clock some one exclaimed , ''There 
goes General Jackson! ' ' He was riding leisnrly along our 
front. We regarded him as our guiding star to victory, 
in the approaching conflict, and his weather-beaten uni- 
form gave hope and encoragement to our anxious minds. 
Soon after. General J. E. B. Stuart, and other distin- 
guished generals passed by; and it was rumored, that 
(general Lee had just finished holding a conference with 
his division commanders, and the battle would soon be 
fought. General Stuart was riding a magnificent horse, 
with handsome trappings, that was captured from Gen- 
eral Pope the day previous. 

While lying on this line awaiting orders, great clouds 
of dust could be seen rolling above the tree tops several 
miles distant, marking plainly the movement of the enemy 
3U deploying their forces. 

In less than two hours after this conference, a loud 
roar of artillery came from our left, quickly followed by 
the rattle of musketry and a prolonged yell gave a note 
of determined victory. Shortly thereafter, the long line 
of battle in our front, moved oft" to mingle in the deadly 
fray. The artillery and infantry on our cejiter line were 
soon popping away, in dead earnest; and ?iow came the 
order for our advance. 

We had moved a short distance beyond where the 
first line of battle had been resting, w^lien the enemy's ar- 
tillery commenced sending a few shells into our ranks. 
A detail of three men was ordered to take care of such be- 
longings of the regiments as could not be carried into 
action. Captain Lewis Marks, our company captain, know- 
ing my physical condition, from the attack of jaundice, 
detailed me as one. I felt inclined to object, but remem- 
bering that it was the duty of a soldier to obey orders, I 
saw the gallant Twelfth move off into the charge, and I 
?aw for the last time many of my dear comrades. Some 
who were not so badly wounded, came limping in, among 
the number my dear comrade, Samuel Hatcher, shot 

22 



tliroiigli the instep, and using a stick, to hop along on one 
foot. Though badly wounded, he wore a smile, as he said, 
"Phil, I have my furlough wound, and am going back to 
Petersburg." At the time, he did not know that his 
brother Virg was then lying dead on the battle field. 

The casualties of the Twelfth A'irginia were very 
heavy. Our Brigadier, Gen. Wm. Mahone, was wounded, 
also Col. Weisiger and Captain Wm. E. Cameron, Adju- 
tant of this 12th. Major David May, was killed, the loss 
in killed and wounded was several hundred. AVhen Mrs. 
Mahone was told that the General had only received a 
flesh wound, she replied in a spirited manner, "You are 
deceiving me, for if a bullet struck him, it inust have hit 
a bone." 

When night came on we were not close enough to the 
battlefield to be disturbed by the wounded. It was a 
lonely vigil that Sidney Jones, Gus Durphy and I had 
that memorable night. 

Before going to sleep, I deemed it wise to save a few 
coals for a fire next morning as we had used the only 
match in our party, to start our evening fire. In raking 
up the ashes to cover the coals some cartridges accident- 
ally were caught up, and their explosion burnt my right 
thumb, and singed my eye-brows. 

We made our breakfast of hardtack, boiled in a tin 
cup, with a small piece of bacon, a dish that had l)econu' 
famous on the march, and known as "cusli". 

After turning over to the wagon train the belongings 
that were left with us the evening before, we started ofi" 
to overtake our command. In doing so, we saw the hor- 
rors of the evening previous. The ambulance corps of the 
enemy had been given permission to enter our lines, and 
care for their dead and wounded. The fi.'lds and road- 
way were strewn with them, and many sickening sights 
were seen. In several places the limbs and lieads had been 
severed from the body by the artillery wheels, or mashed 
into a mangled mass by the hoofs of the cavalry trampling 
over them. At other places, we counted where more than 



thirty bullets had struck a tree of not more than eight 
inches diameter, and in the height of a man. 

It was two chiys before we could overtake our com- 
mand, as the line of battle, before night, had been pushed 
several miles from the point of first attack, and the regi- 
ment had one day start of us. 

When we camped on Goose Creek, a few miles from 
Leesburg, John Pritchard and I obtained permission to go 
into town to provide a few articles for our mess, and, as 
it was nearly sunset when we left, it was understood that 
our return would be next morning. After purchasing 
tobacco and a small quantity of sugar and coffee, we 
sought rest on the lawn of a beautiful mansion, and were 
soon in a sound slumber, from which we were awakened 
l)y the music of several regimental bands passing through 
the town at the head of tlieir commands. We little 
dreamed that ours was among the number, but so it 
was, and we marched off to overtake it. We forded the 
] 'otoniac at Williams ' crossing (I think that was the name) 
about ten A. M., and after dark arrived on the banks of 
Monocacy Eiver, and still we had not overtaken our regi- 
ment. 

We were afraid to venture in the water not knowing 
its depth, and the September nights were growing cool. 
Leaving the road and entering the tall timber along the 
banks, we came to a stop where we found many others 
were halted in a like manner. 

xlt last we found a suitable resting place. I took 
the precaution to unbuckle my bayonet belt, and pass it 
under my head for pillow, the bayonet scabbard under my 
rubber cloth, we were so exhausted from our long days 
march, that our sleep nmst have been very sound, tor, 
when I awakened, the sun was up, and my head Hat on 
the ground. My belt had been unbuckled, and the bundle 
stolen from under my head. Did I grow angry? Well, if 
my dear comrade, John Pritchard, is still alive, I would 
like for him to answer this! Fortunately for my sense of 
honor, no money had been given me to buy these articles, 
and tlie loss was therefore, all my own. 

24 



Without a iiioiitiit'ul of breakfast, we forded tlic 
stream, it was not deep, aud trudged aioug liie dusty road 
and during tlie morning came to another point of the 
same river, where the railroad crossed on an iron bridge, 
and found it was being destroyed by some artillery com- 
mand, to prevent its use by the enemy. 

Before night, we were once more iu ine ranks ol' (.ur 
own command, and felt a great relief. 

Vei-y strict orders had been given by Cieiieral J.cc, 
that no property of any kind should be disturbed, in pass- 
ing through the enemy's country, and, as our wagon tram 
was some distance in the rear, our rations were cut \-er\- 
short. 

Apples and greei) corn (when it could be had) wen' 
oil'' principal diet. 

We passed through l;'redcrick City on tiic iiioruiug oi' 
September 12, 1862, and tlie Twelfth \^irginia made .1 
handsome spectacle, as we marched througli the streets, 
open order, aims resting on knapsacks. By this man- 
ouevre four men abreast extended across the street, and 
caused our force to look much larger than it really was. 

Our next stopping point was the little town of Burk- 
ettsville, where we rested over nigiit, and, Saturday, 
marched through Crampton's (Jaj), in South Momitain and 
camped in IMeasant Valley. 

Sunday, September 14th, we received ordei-s to re 
tr;ice our march, reerossing South Mouniain, to «lefend 
the Gap against IVanklin's Corps, which was aiming to 
relieve the siege of ilarperV IVitv. 1 was nearly n niih' 
from camp hunting foi- milk and bread, when I heard th<' 
drum corps beating tiie " long roll" and iuid to run Cast 
to be in line when my name was called. 

The -12th was undei- the coniinond af Lieutenant 
Col. Field, as Lieutenant (ol. Fielding Taylor, though 
ill, was on the tiring line and received a mortal wound." 

John Crow of the Rifles, saved Col. Taylor's gold 
head cane by sticking it in llie muzzle of his riHe as he 
i(^treated up the mountain. 

All this was learned after my return from the .\\)rth. 



25 



1 al^o learned tliat Leslie fcSpence, Ned Aikin, Captain 
I'atterson and John Laugliton were wounded same even- 
ing. 

As we decended the mountain, we could see, in tlie 
distance cjouds of dust rising above the trees on the sev- 
eral roads leading to this point. Such an ominous sight 
made us i'eel that m a tew hours a battle would be t'ouglit. 

i have never known how the Gtli, IGth and 41st regi- 
ments were placed along the base of tiie mountain, i only 
know that the 12th was where the road diverged, right 
and left, at the base. W e were deployed eight feet apart, 
in order to extend our line as far as possible. We were 
behind a rail fence, with just enough distance from tlie 
load to lie down at full length, and rest our rifles on a 
Jow rail, where good aim could be taken. 1 suppose we 
were in position nearly an hour before the enemy's advance 
column appeared in our front, about two hundred yards 
distant, was another rail fence a freshly fallowed held 
lying between us. We had strict orders, not to fire until 
1 lie enemy was in good rifle range. 

For fully ten or fifteen minutes after arriving at the 
point mentioned, they hesitated to make a charge on us, 
Finally, a great cheering, as if greeting some welcome 
re-inforcements, swelled along the line, and over the fence 
they clamberetl, and started for us at double (piick time. 
When they had advanced about Hfty yards, a (h'adJN lille 
lire liui-le<l them back, leaving a line of kille<l and wouiiil- 
ed. iiy tiie time they reached the point I'l-om which they 
started, another volley was poured into them. I'roni these 
two opposite i^oints, a desultory fire was kept for some 
time. Then another great cheering (more fiesh troops) 
and over the fence tliey came again. 

I was in the act of iiring my riHe when the cheering 
commenced; and, seeing an officei- with his hat lifted on 
tiie point of his sword, as he mounted the fence, 1 took 
deliberate aim, but the smoke of iii\ litle ])revented my 
seeing what effect it had. 1 do know, howover, that they 
moved only a few feet before they doubled back, and kept 
up their fire from behind the fence. 

26 



In the iiioantiinc, a battery of artillery, in onr rear 
was delivering a plunging fire oi* shot and shell into their 
ranks. Their force outnumbered our own so greatly, that 
while we were holding them back in our front, they had 
inpped around our right and left for some distance; when 
at a given signal, they made a desperate rush upon our 
line. Though we popped our rifles as rapidly as possibk, 
it seemed evident that we would soon be overwhelmed. 

When they w^ere about twenty yards distant, I was 
shot in the left arm, about three inches below^ the elbow, 
the bullett passing between the two l)ones, then through 
the elbow joint, and lodged in the muscle of the arm. I 
do not know whether it was the excitement, or what, but 
T felt no more pain at the time, than if a brush had hit 
me, but the blood trickling to my finger tips, and the utter 
uselessness of, or inability to move the arm, made me rea- 
lize that it was broken, and, before the enemy reached the 
fence, I pulled myself into the road. 

At this moment, Cobb's Georgians came to uuv relief, 
<md enabled all who could, to escape, for they halted the 
(niemy at the fence from which we had, only i few^ minutes 
before, been firing at them. While lying in the wheel rut 
''1* this road, with the Yankee guns not more than ten feet 
(() my left, my face resting on my bloodcox/ered hand, I 
could not liel)) thinking of the shocking sights seen al'tcr 
the battle of Manassas, for, should a battery of artillery, 
or a s(]uadron of cavalry, move, I would be giouini oi- 
tr,'nii)>led into an unrecognizable mass. 

b'or fully ten minutes the bullets wer-,' iiissing lu'ar 
i.i\ ears, and, as soon as the enemy crossed oxer (his road, 
I held my shattered arm in my right, and took refuge in 
r.n old coo])er shop near the i-oadside, where a lunnber of 
Federal soldiers were making good use of several b.-incls 
of fresh cider. I passed by them, and seated myself on 
the back sill ^t^eling (piite faint from the loss of blood. 

I was not there more than a minute when one of the 
number brought me a tin cup of the cider, , addressing me 
as "Johnnie." He seemed very much interested in my 
condition, and insisted on going with me, to have my 



27 



woiiiid attended tu. I was utterly amazed at. this mark ot 
kindness, and 1 soon followed him over tiie tield, where 
inany evidences of the effectiveness of our tire was seen. 

About midway, my eyes rested on the iinest canteen 
I had ever seen, and I hardly thought it would be a viola- 
tion of the Tenth Connnandment, if 1 asked him to appro- 
priate it for my nse, and this he most cheerfully did. 

I was taken to five operating "tield" hospitals before 
;; surgeon conld be found, who conld spare 'die time from 
their great number of wcnmded, to attend to me. hi an 
jipple orchard, near a Ijrick house, about one mile iu the 
rear of the battle-field, a very noble and kindly disposed 
Federal surgeon, about sixty years old, with a shar]) knite 
ripped my sleeve open, and cut it off about two inches 
beloAV the shoulder. Then for the first tini", 1 knew the 
course of the buUet lieretofore meutiomd. He wislu'd uie 
jilaced under the influence of cloroforin, as it would be 
exceedingly i)ainful to extract the 1)unel so firmly embed 
(led in the muscles. 

1 objected to this, and told him I nrei en-'-d t-) stand 
the jtain. An incision about two inches long was made 
Ihi-ough the ligaments, and fastening the I'orceps on the 
bullet, tlie_\- failed to i-enio\'e it, until the iourtli or liftli 
cliorl. When it yielded to his strong ai'in, l!u- itiood Hew 
in all dii-eetions. lie cranuned a bunch of lint into the 
opening. The next minute, everything turn.'d i)itch dark 
and i lost consciousiu'ss for several minutes. When 1 
recovered this kind doctor was bathing my face in cool 
water, and had sucli a sympathetic countcniance, that 1 
felt that he was a friend. He remarked, in a pleasant 
manner, "Young man, you stood the operation bravely, 
but you pinched my leg blue." After placing the bullet in 
a pan of water to wash otf the blood, he handed it to uk^ 
with the remark, "You can now see why that bullet was 
so difficult to remove." The point was turned back like 
the brim of a ' ' rough and ready hat. ' ' M y arm was neatly 
baiulaged and 1 remained sitting, with my back resting 
against a tree in the apple orchard. The I'nion soldier 
who accompanied me from the battle-field, had remained 



by nip, Mild, as it was about sniidowii, he brought me a 
small l)()wl of corn meal gruel, which refreshed me very 
iinich. 

A little while later, who should come up but one of my 
company comrades, \\\ (\ Smith, who had Ix^en slightly 
wounded in the shoulder. He informed me that Thomas 
.Morgan and George Bernard of the Petersburg Rifles, 
and Charlie Pritchard of my company, vvm-e wounded, 
and fellow pi'isoners, but 1 did not see them until next 
day. 

1 laid oil the uppei- porch floor of the bi-ick house 
that night, on a bed of loose straw, brought i)y this kind 
Federal soldier, who also In-ought a canie;n of fresh 
water, which ])i-oved a great l)lessing, for my thirst was 
insatiate, and 1 could not slee]). On the same porch floor, 
with me, were six or seven wounded FvnKmmI soldiers, 
hvo or whom died before daybreak. 

Next morning my soldier friend brouglil iiic another 
bowl of gruel and a cup of coffee. 

About ten o'clock, all the wounded who wer;' al)le 
io walk, were marched to Burkettesville, and a church 
was ('on\'erted into a hospital. 

Opening Guns of Sharpsburg. 

After two days and one night in this crowded build 
irig, conditions became unpleasant. My comrade, W. C. 
Smith, and 1, sought shelter in a wagon bodv, under a shed 
only a block from the church. Here it was that we heard 
the first cannon in the Sharpsl)urg batth\ some miles 
away. I had slept but little. The artillery rtring l)ecame 
quite rapid, and was soon after followed by .mmistakable 
volleys of musketry. 

My nerves began to tingle, so I caiU'd my soundly 
sleeping comrade, who was later, in a reunited country, 
destined to wear the uniform of Union Colonel. We list- 
ened with eager ears and anxious hearts to the ominous 



*W. C. Smith, after the war. was a successful and noted architect, lo- 
cated at Nashville, Teiui. 

He later became Colonel of the Isr Tennessee Regiment and lost his 
life in the Philippines. 



2'J 



aud tlmiidermg sounds that rolled over the undulatiug 
hills on that ever memorable 17th of September, 18G2, 
when the battle of Sharpsburg traced its bloody drama on 
the pages of American history. 

During the day, I lost sight of my fru^nd and com- 
jade, not to meet again for many months. A purer soul 
iiud more thorougli gentleman never breathed tlian Col- 
onel W. C. KSmitli, of whom (Jeiieral Charles Iving so 
charmingly w^rites: "He lived to lead an adoring regi- 
ment (Jb'irst Tennessee) into action under the old Hag, 
and his spirit w^ent up in the smoke of the (Spring-fields) 
far across the Pacific. ' ' 

About noon of the second day, 1 was put on the board, 
and bandages removed, and two doctors prepared to 
administer chloroform, and cut off my arm, but i objected 
vehementl}', and rather reluctantly, they finally told uie to 
go to my cot, and, later, they would look ;i!'tei- my case. 
But i never gave them the chance to do so. Soon after 
returning to my cot, a gentleman came, and took a seat 
by me. He seemed interested in my behalf, for ,1 had 
noticed his anxiety when the doctors were discussing the 
amputation of my arm. He spoke in a low tone of voice, 
telling me that he lived on the first corner below the 
church, after crossing, over the street, and that, in the 
back yai'd was a pump wdiere many of the soldiei-s ob- 
tained water, and, if I would, in the coui-se of an hour oi- 
two, pass into the back gate, ostensibly for water, and, 
jl' no one was about, 1 must go into the house, as he wished 
to save my arm, if it could possibly l)e done. I could only 
reply by a silent pressure of his hand for my heart was 
in my throat and 1 could not give utt(M'ance to my grati- 
tude. 

When I ventured to follow his instructions, 1 fouml 
his wife and her mother, Mrs. Harrison, ready to greet 
me with a warmth that made me feel very cond'ortable 
and grateful. I was in the hospital home of Doctor John 
Garrott, a native of Maryland, ))ut whose wife was from 
Harrisonburfi:, Va., and two of her In'others were in the 
Army of Northern Virginia. T was given a neat, large 

32 



room, my arm resting ou a soft pillow covered with a 
piece of oil cloth, as 1 had to bathe my womid every few 
minutes with cold water. There were three little chil- 
dren in the family, the oldest about nine years of age, 
and we soon became very much attached. 

I found that Mrs. Garrott's house was the rendez- 
vous of all the Southern-women sympathizers in that sec- 
tion, and often, eight or ten at a time would drop in to 
my room. Among the number, I recall Mrs. Claggett and 
her little daughter, Rose. The doctor was a surgeon in 
the Confederate army. 

Dr. Garrott and all his family were as kind and consid- 
erate of my welfare as if I had been a relative; and, in 
due course of time, my wound commenced to heal and the 
desire to return South grew stronger each day. 

Before leaving, however, I met with an act of kind- 
ness, on the part of Mrs. Giddings (I think that was her 
name), another Southern sympathizer, which I must men- 
tion. She had taken to her home in the country, George 
Bernard, of the Petersburg Rifles, and sent her carrige 
to Burkettsville for me to make him a visit. Truly, we 
had fallen into the hands of ''good Samaritans."* 

(Pardon a line of digression.) I have l)een informed 
that George Alfred Townsend, who acquired quite a repu- 
tation as a newspaper correspondent, under a nom de 
plume of ''Garth," built a palatial residence on the sum- 
mit of "Crampton's Gap," overlooking Pleasant Valley 
on one side and the battlefield at the base, near the little 
lown of Burkettsville on the other. 

The later ])art of October I l)ade farewell to my kind 
protectors, and went to the provost marshall's office for 
my parole. In company with about eight other Confed- 
erates of different commands, none of whom I knew, we 
were taken in a farm wagon, the body of which was filled 
with straw, to Frederick City. There, we were joined l)y 



•George Barnard, after the war, practiced law in Petersburg success- 
fully and pulilished an interesting book under the title of "War Talks by 
Confederate \'eterans." — died in the earlv spring of 1912. 



a number of prisoners from other sections rnd placed in 
box cars, the conditions of which were so'iilthy that we 
could not sit down. Every one of us had been wounded, 
and had to stand, some on crutches, all the way to Balti- 
more, where 1 made two unsuccessful atteiiipts to evade 
the guard in order to reach friends to whom 1 had letters 
of introduction. We were taken to Fort McHenry, and 
;ilJ of us were marched, in "Indian file" to an office where 
our names and the regiments to which we belonged, were 
registered. 

From our entrance at the large gate, where we were 
formed in single file, to the office of registration, I observed 
a crowd of ten or more Yankee soldiers eyeing my uni- 
form trousers. My sleevesless coat was left, as my only 
legacy, with kind Dr. Garrott, and I wore a citizen coat, 
into which I could only put my right arm, the left being 
in a sling. After our names were entered, ranks were 
broken, and we were at liberty to go about the grounds. 
As I walked off one of the party who had followed us 
from the entrance said "Where did you get that pair of 
our sergeant's pants I This made me very indignant, and 
I replied in a defiant manner, that the material of which 
they were made, was manufactured at the Crenshaw 
Woolen Mills, Richmond, Va., and, that before I would 
wear a pair of their vermin-infested sergeant's pants, I 
M'ould go naked the rest of my life. Several rather caus- 
tic remarks passed, when one of the number cautioned 
me about being saucy and said, "If we dared to talk in 
that way when prisoners at the South, we would be hung 
up by the fingers." To which I replied that I had seen 
many hundreds of their prisoners at the South, and that 
those who could speak plain enough for me to understand, 
assured me, "they were serving only for the money that 
was in it ' ', while we were fighting for our rights, guaran- 
teed under the Federal Constitution. 

Just before sundown, the sutler's wagon, with fresh 
warm rolls and cool milk, drove into the grounds, and 
while I desired to be among the first to secure such a 
luxury, I was afraid my arm might be injured in the 

34 



crowd. I therefore held back, uutil the rush was over, 
in the meantime, the sutler asked if any of the newly 
arrived prisoners were from Isle of Wight, As there was 
no response, 1 remarked that for several inonths i had 
heen stationed at Smithfield, in isle of Wight, iie said 
his name was Vellines, and he knew pretty much every- 
one whose name i called, and this seemed to please him 
very much. When I tendered him the money for my two 
rolls (rusks, they called them) and glass of milk, he re- 
fused to accept it, and begged that i would come to his 
wagon as long as i remained at the fort. 

As I rested that night in the long, two-story building, 
not acquainted with a single one of the many prisoners, 
a feeling of deep thankfulness came over me, for the many 
acts of kindness shown since i was wounded and a 
prisoner. In my prayers my grateful heart whispered to 
the recording angel how much I had been blessed, and I 
felt a reproach that the name of the Union soldier, also 
the name of the doctor who was so kind to me, the evenmg 
i was wounded, and for two days after, could not be 
remembered and I have never been able to secure them. 

Next morning, I was sitting on a box in the bracing 
October sun, reading, when a rough soldier approached. 
Thinking he wished to speak to me, I looked into his tough 
face. He never noticed me, but caught one end of the 
box, and nearly upset me, as he jerked it way. An officer 
iiappened to see the act, and commanded him, in a severe 
tone, to replace the box instantly, for which t touched tlie 
brim of my cap in recognition of the courtesy. 

The- second day, we boarded the steamer Robert Y. 
Morris, via Fortress Monroe, to be exchanged at Varina, 
several miles below Richmond. There was something 
over one hundred prisoners on the steamer, but all were 
total strangers to me. 

I roamed around, to see where 1 couUl lie down for 
lest. Seeing a trap door open, and workmen about, E 
remarked that, if there was no objection, F would like to 
rest on the sacks of oats in the hold below. I slept very 

35 



little, as my wound had not been dressed since leaving 
Burkettsville, and a throbbing pain set in. 

At Varina, we left the United States transport, and 
went aboard a eanal boat, which was towed to Richmond 
by a tug. 

Before arriving there, it was announced that all the 
returning prisoners would be taken to Chimborazo Hos- 
pital, and quarantined for ten days. For the first time, 
on this trip, 1 felt glad that all were strangers, for I made 
up my mind to escape the quarantine if possible. 1 
strolled to the bow of the boat, and , before the line was 
fastened, I stepped ashore, and moved oft' as rapidly as 
possible. I heard several calls, ' ' Come back! Come back 
here!" But I did not do as Lot's wife, and i3ushed on to 
]\[ain Street, where, fortunately, at the terminus of the 
car line, stood a coach, with two stub-tailed mules, ready 
to start. I experienced a feeling of infinite relief when 

"The Bell rang out with a jangled quirk 

And the stub-tailed mules went off with a jerk. ' ' 

I soon reached the old American Hotel where the 
Berry clothing store now stands, on Main Street, and 
received a warm and affectionate reception from Colonel 
Jos. L. Carrington and his partner. Major Ben Ayres. 

As quickly as possible, I was sent to Dr. Dunn, medi- 
cal director in Richmond, for the army. He carefully 
removed the bandages. My arm was very much intiamed, 
fingers nearly double their normal size, and not a muscle 
could be moved. I observed an anxious expression on his 
face, as he examined the wound. After doing so, he said, 
"Phil, why is it the surgeons did not amynitate this arm ? ' ' 
My reply was, that I had begged very hard for them not 
to do so. He shook his head doubtfully, and remarked 
that, in all ]H-obability, the joint would have to be re- 
flected, and two inches of bone, above and below the elbow 
taken out. It was then too late in the day, but, he said 
lie would send me to tlie hospital next morning for a more 
thorough examination. 

36 



But next nioniiiig, I had plact'd twenty-two miles 
between ns, for 1 went to Petersburg, wheie Colonel Car- 
rington's family still remained at the BoUingbroke Hotel. 
Mr. Peyton Carrington, son of the Colonel was in charge 
and I was received with all kindness and consideration, 
as if 1 were a son. Dr. Lassiter, their own family 
physician, w^as sent for, and applied a large, w^arm flax 
seed poultice to the swollen joint, and, several hours later, 
opened the part where the ball entered, when at least a 
quart of pus discharged, which gave me great relief from 
the severe throbbing pain. 

I can not resist mentioning the kind a ad sisterly af- 
fection shown me by the Colonel 's eldest daughter, Miss 
Ella, who, later, married General I. M. 8t. John of the 
Confederate Army. Florence Nightingale was never any 
kinder, or nobler, than this dear woman, and, through all 
my life, a greatful heart has kept her in pleasant re- 
membrance. 

The weeks wore wearily along; my wound continued 
to suppurate, and my general health to decline. There- 
fore, in the opening of spring, I left Petersburg, and my 
good friends, for the home of my brother. Dr. Samuel P. 
P>rown, "The Oaks", near (^artersville, Cumberland 
county. 

Here, I may be pardoned for a short diversion from 
my story, to mention that at the early age of six j^ears, I 
lost my mother, and, lief ore I was ten years old, my 
fatlier died, leaving two children, a sister and a brother 
younger than myself. My father and mother lie in St. 
John's Church yard, Columbia, and my gr<iiidfatlier and 
grandmother, both of English l)irth, lie in .)id St. John's 
Church yard, in Richmond, Va. 

On arriving at my brotlici-'s, li,. made a very careful 
examination of my wound and said that some foreign 
sul>stance must l)e the cause of the trouble. After care- 
fully i)robing the wound, he thought the obstruction was 
touched. Fnsei-ting his forceps, he gently jnilled from the 
wound a clot of my clothing and a small ))iece of bone. 



tlie clothing having been carried in by the hot biilh^t when 
entering my arm. 

My little niece, Edmonia, was standing by, when the 
ossified Inmp dropped from the wound, accompanied with 
a copious flow of blood. And such a yell of fright and 
alarm as she gave! 

In a week's time my arm and fingers were reduced 
from their swollen appearance to a nearly normal condi- 
tion, and connnenced to show a healthy sign of healing. 
In about two months 1 could bear letting my arm out of 
the sling for an hour or two at a time. 

1 enjoyed visiting around the country and, though not 
able to return to active field service, I was summoned to 
appear before the examining board at Camp Lee, where 1 
was given an honorable discharge from the Confederate 
.service, Colonel Carrington at once gave me a clerkship at 
the hotel (American) heretofore mentioned, and, while 
my service in the Army of Northern Virginia had termi- 
nated, I was destined to have some thrilling experiences 
before the close of the war. As they relate to a period 
between the autumn of 1863 and April, 1865, I may be 
pardoned for introducing them here. 

Several months after obtaining my diseliarge, in pass- 
ing down ^lain Street, at the corner of Twelfth, I was in- 
tercepted by the provost-guard, wdio demanded my papers 
to show why 1 was not in the Army. With i smile, and a 
bow of deference to their authority, I proudly drew my 
discharge, expecting to be promptly passed on, but, to 
my utter amazement and discomfort, the guard said, "We 
must take you to Capt. John A. Coke's office, who will 
examine these papers." I protested, and asked if they 
could not read that it was an honoral)l(' 'lischarge for 
Avomids received in battle? 

I felt humiliated to be standing on a main thorough- 
fare, between two soldiers who had probably never been 
on the firing line, and T said, "Vcm'v well 1 know Captain 
Coke, and will report there at once." But the guard said, 
"One of us must accompany you." 

This was more than I could stand, *o 1)0 marched 



38 



along Main JStreet to Captain Coke's oltice on Grovernor 
Street. Indignantly, I said, ' ' You can follow ten steps 
behind, and, if 1 attempt to escape, shoot me down." He 
saw from my determined look, that every word was meant. 

Captain Coke recognized me, on my own responsi- 
bility, to appear before the medical examining board at 
Camp Lee by three o'clock that afternoon. When [ 
reported, the three doctors examined my wounded arm, 
and stated that the anchylose of the elbow joint would 
disqualify me from field duty, but i must be assigned to 
department work, it fell to my lot to be with Captain 
Thomas Tabb, who permitted me to obtain a substitute in 
the person of a man over sixty years, who was exempt 
from military service, and I returned to the American 
hotel for duty. 

I must ask pardon for an unintentional omission. I 
met an old comrade a few days ago who said, "Well Phil, 
I have greatl}^ enjoyed your memories, but you forgot 
to mention the artillery duel that occurred shortly before 
the Malvern Hill battle", 1 have occasion to remember it, 
because of an incident that occurred, while the exploading 
shells were knocking oft" the limbs of trees and throwing 
dirt over us, as we laid flat on the ground. 

I observed my companion, John Crow, was chewing 
vigorously and seemed quite calm. 1 said to him, "John 
give me a piece of your tobacco (I had never had a piece 
in my mouth before) ; it will calm my nerves". About the 
time it commenced its bitter taste, a shell exploded a few 
feet away and gave me such a shock that I swallowed 
the quid, ambier and all. Then you can guess what hap- 
pened. I was the sickest poor mortal on earth. 

"Yes", I said, "and I am unable to account for the 
omission". 

I also remember an incident connected with the artil- 
lery duel. AVe were lying a short distance to the right of 
our battery, when Col. Julian DeLagnel, who was Chief 
of Mahone's Artillery, rode in front of Twelfth Virginia, 
Colonel Weisiger arose and they conversed in an audible 
tone of incidents connected with the duel. 

39 



Colonel DeLagnel remarked that a few niiuutes ago, 
lie recognized an old army acquaintance, Phil Kerney, as 
lie leisurely rode about the Federal guns that were firing 
at us. Through his glasses he plainly recognized his 
features and the empty sleeve pinned to his breast. 

Colonel DeLagnel was the calmest person I ever saw 
while the shells were popping all around us. After half 
an hour gun music, the Federal battery marched otf and 
we resumed our approach to Malvern Hill. 

It is with considerable reluctance that I mention the 
following exciting incidents, yet they form a part of the 
period embracing these reminiscences. Some quibbling 
cynic may say, ''If the writer could so successfully defend 
himself, he should have been with the Army." In reply, 
let me say, it was never on my own initiative that these 
troubles occurred, and I would have been devoid of man- 
hood had I not faced them. My reluctance to inflict a 
Avrong, or to impose unjustly upon my fellow man, is in 
direct ratio with my determination never to tamely submit 
lo the same, for my resentful nature is set on a hair trigger 
formation, whenever my honor is assailed, but I am as 
quick to forgive as to resent. 

My first unpleasant affair occurred shortly after tak- 
ing the position, heretofore mentioned. A guest made a 
request that required an examination of the hotel register. 
At the time, a flashy, blackmustached man, with a dazzling 
diamond pin scintillating from his scarf, stood with both 
hands holding fast to the sides of the register, on a re- 
volving stand. 

1 remarked to him. that 1 wished to examine the 
register in order to answer an inquiry. In ])lace of com- 
plying with my request, he gripped it tigiitly, and in an 
impudent tone said "you can wait until 1 am through 
with it." I resented this speech, by twisting the register 
from him, and answering the query of the guest. This 
infuriated the burly, black-moustached ruffian, and he 
fired some of his billingsgate language at me. 

I reached under the counter for a police club, that was 
kept handy for sending to the front, and striking three- 

40 



times when a policeman was wanted. He observed my 
action, and remarked, "if you attempt to strike me I will 
go behind the counter, and wring your head off." He 
certainly looked large enough, and, so, far as physical 
strength was concerned, could possibly have carried out 
his threat. 

He continued the examination, muttering a volume of 
blasphemy. Apparently, I was not paying any attention 
to his remarks, but I held the club with a firm grip, and, 
while he was giving vent to foul language I landed a blow 
tha c cut a gash over his eye. He seized the club and twisted 
it from me. I had previously opened the cash drawer, in 
which was kept a Colt revolver, and the instant I released 
! he club I warned him, if he made any attempt to approach 
me, I would shoot him. 

The instant I pulled the revolver on him, there was 
a quick scamper of the crowd, but he stood still, imtil 
Major Ayres took the club from him. He then shook 
Ills finger at me, and remarked, "I'll soon have you in 
'Castle Thunder'; for I am one of General Winder's de- 
tectives. ' ' Major Ayers, hearing the threat, thought it pru- 
dent to consult the mayor, Joseph Mayo. In an hour or 
two the ruffian came in, with three others, and ordered 
me put on my hat that I was under arrest, and would be 
carried to 'Castle Thunder.' One of the number held a 
large revolver in his hand, and remarked, "If you had 
hit me over the head with that club, I would have emptied 
all the lead in. this gun into you!" I paid no attention 
to his remarks, but told the man who said I must go with 
them, that I would not move an inch, and, if they carried 
me there, it would be by force alone. 

At this critical moment, who should make his ap- 
pearnce, but his honor, the mayor, who told these four 
men, that he was the mayor of the city, and none of Gen- 
eral Winder's men should touch me, that I had been a 
f^^oldier, and honorably discharged from the army. He 
also said, "I have learned from my friend, ]\[ajor Ayres, 
all the ]>articulai-s of the affair, and I t'ommoud this young 
man for his couraiic, and, if necessary, sunnnon a force to 



-••] 



protect him." Seeing- tliey were blocked in their scheme 
they walked out of the olfice, and no further attempt 
was made to molest me. 

My next ex})erience occurred several months later, 
when a boy from the barber shop ran into the office, very 
much excited, and said, "Mr. Brown, come down to the 
bar quick! A man is about to kill Uncle Bob!" Bob 
Strachan was a resx)ectable colored man whom Colonel 
Oarrington had In-ought from Petersburg to attend the 
bar. 

Before going, I placed in my right trouser pocket a 
small vest pocket ''Derringer" pistol, and kept my hand 
on it. When I entered, Bob was standing with hands 
down, and a big, intoxicated soldier, with a huge knife 
fully eight inches long and two inches wide, wiping the 
flat side across Bob's throat, and abusing him unmer- 
cifully, while three of this ruffian's friends were standing 
by egging him on. With my right hand m my pocket, 
on the "Derringer," I walked up touched the man with 
my left and asked the cause of the disturbance. He 
wheeled around, in a defiant manner, with uplifted knife, 
jmd asked if 1 was the protector of this yellow — , if so, 
he would treat me as he would this — . I distinctly saw 
the evil in his eye, and determined not to let my nerve 
quiver. I told him that it was only in interest of peace 
lliat I came; but this did not satisfy him, and he ordered 
me to clear out at once. He appeared so fierce, that L 
thought he would plunge his knife into me. With my 
tliumb, I gently raised the hammer of the "Derringer," 
to shoot through my trouser pocket. He dared me to 
draw a pistol, saying, he would cut my throat, if I did so. 
• AVhen the barber shop boy first came to me in alarm, 
1 instructed him to go in search of a policeman, and hurry 
him to the rescue, and, fortunately for all concerned, one 
appeared at the critical moment referred to above, and 
rrrested the offender; thereby preventing a tragedy in 
wliich, no doul)t, my life would have been lost. 

Not many weeks after this adventure, [ had another 
experience. This time, it was with a foreigner, who 

42 



claimed to be an iustriietor of cavalry, in the l)roadswoi-d 
exercise. He was very niueli intoxicated, :ind wished to 
buy a meal ticket. It was positively against our rules to 
ever let an intoxicated man enter the dining-room, and 
my refusal to sell him a ticket, made him very angry. Ho 
finally whipped out a large revolver, and demanded a 
ticket, or he' would shoot me. 

As he did this who should come up, but Mr. H. Rives 
Pollard, who was a meal-boarder, and siezing the man by 
tlie arm, threated his arrest. Fortunately, he made a 
hasty exit, and I had to thank Mr. Pollard; for his timely 
interference. This is the same Mr. Pollard who met 
such a tragic death when entering his editorial rooms 
soon after the close of the war. 

Times were growing worse, and prices of provisions 
rising so rapidly that it was difficult to maintain a regiT- 
lar schedule of rates. In the meantime. Colonel Carring- 
lon and Major Ayres sold their unexpired lease, and the 
furniture, of the "American", to Wright & Ford. 

I was retained as chief clerk, though I was growing 
uneasy regarding the safety of my life; for the city be- 
came crowded whenever a spell of rainy, or snowy 
weather set in, by soldiers who would run the Idockade, 
as it was termed, i. e., leave camp without a furlough. It 
became so general that a provost guard had to be estab- 
lished on Main Street to make arrests. But the soldier^ 
soon learned how to flank the guard, and continued their 
visits to the city. 

My next encounter was with an intoxicated cavalry- 
man, Avho wished to purchase a meal-ticket, and became 
ijifuriated at my refusal, threatening dire vengeance 
upon me, and finally drawing his knife, attcm])ting to 
come over the counter. A well-directed l)low prevented 
him, he then threw the open knife with force enough to 
have sent it through me, but fortunately, tlic handle 
struck my side, and it fell harndessly to the floor. 
He then made a wild rush for the side door, to close 
upon me, but it was shut and bolted in time to prevent 

45 



liis doiug so. Then, he commenced' a vigorous kicking, 
to break through. 

1 well knew, if he ever closed in upon me, in his 
infuriated condition, m y life would be taken. 1 had 
already sent an oli'ice boy for the police, but none had 
arrived, and it began to look as if the door would give 
way. I jumped over the counter, and, while he was 
planting his heavy boot heels against the door, I struck 
him with all my strength, a blow with my club on the 
back of his head. He wheeled upon me, and I had to 
run for my life, to the street. 

He gathered up an iron cuspidore, as he followed me 
through the long hall leading from the office to the street. 
As I passed through the folding, glass-panled door near 
the street entrance, I ran my club througli the two puU- 
liandles to hold him at bay. With a crash, the cuspidore 
shattered the glass, but did not injure me. We were now 
face to face through the opening made. Again, I used 
my club, and with better eifect than the first time, for ho 
fell to the floor from the blow across the lace. Taking 
advantage of the situation, I thrust my club in the back 
of his collar, and gave it a twist that rendered him pow- 
erless. At this critical moment, three cavalrymen of his 
own command came up; and I would have been handled 
very roughly by them, but for the fact that one of the 
number proved to be a friend of mine, who pacified the 
others, and they carried their intoxicated friend away. 

I commenced to have forebodings that my life would 
end in some tragic affair, and notified my employers that 
I wished to quit my position. I was urged not to do so, 
my salary was raised to quite a handsome figure. More- 
over, I had the opportunity to purchase stationery, and 
other office supplies, that were bought throagh the lines 
in wagons and before thej^ arrived, they were sold at a fair 
margin of profit. In thus financing I was enabled to add 
considerably to my salary account. 

As well as I can remember; it was in the spring of 
1864, that a day of intense excitement occurred, when 
several hundred women and children, whose ages ranged 



iroiii eight to fourteen years, came down Main Street 
i'rom a western suburb, then known as Sidney. The 
women were bareheaded and sleeves rolled above their 
elbows, some singing others screaming 'and the boys 
yelling like wild Comarchies. 

Pendemonium seemed to have suddenly seized upon 
Main Street; with their clubs smashing windows and 
doors and removing all they could bear in their arms. 
They were finally haulted at Fourteenth Street where a 
line of malitary crossed from curbstone to curbstone . 

Behind this line mounted on horseback were Gover- 
nor Letcher and his aid. Major S. Bassett French. 

The military commander ordered a halt, and in a 
loud and distinct voice Major French read the Riot Act, 
and gave the crowd five minutes to disperse. They 
quickly fled in will disorder back to their homes. 

On the 12th of May, 1864, great alarm was felt, for the 
safety of Richmond as Sheridan, with a ^arge force of 
cavalry was reported in the vicinity of Yellow Tavern, and 
;:pproacliing the city via the Brooke road. All who were 
able to use arms were ordered to the outer breastworks. 
In company with Mr. George Gilliam (a tobacconist) and 
Mr. Ford, of the American Hotel, we drove to the other 
side of Emmanuel Church and halted near Mr. Stewart's 
palatial home; the gentlemen, named, each had a double 
barrel gun, while I carried a Belgium rifle, with a good 
long sight range. I therefore left the two gentlemen and 
ventured about half a mile to the front, the firing could be 
distinctly heard. 

A squad of cavalry coming in brought the sad news 
of Gen. J. E. B. Stuart's death, but said the Yankees 
would not get to Riclimond, so we returned to the City. 
President Davis and about all of his cabinet and many 
members of congress were out on the Brooke road during 
the excitement and great relief was felt when it was 
known that the enemy had been repulsed. 

A few months later another startling rumor reached 
Richmond, thait Butler with a large force was making an 
effort to capture and destroy the railroad between Peters- 

45 



burg and iiieliiiioud. An order wa.s issued for every 
person able to bear arms to report at Drury's Bluff on 
James Kiver. 

In company with many others I went down to the 
Bluff in a steamer, and carried my Belgium vifie. 

It was about four o'clock when we arrived at our 
destination and only a snudl force was at the Blul^'. 
About a mile and a half distant a fierce attack was being 
made on Fort Stephens on the South bank of Falling 
Creek. 

There was no intervening forests or other obstruc- 
tions to prevent a view of the gallant defense made by 
our troops. As we were simply volunteers without a 
leader no effort was made to lead us into the fight, but 
when Major Smith, who was in command at the Bluff, 
wished to send a dispatch to General Hagood, who 
commanded at Fort Stephens, I asked the honor of l)ear- 
ing it, little dreaming of the perilous risk 1 was to take. 
When about eight hundred yards of the b^ort, 1 was in 
the range of the enemy's Sharp shooters, and minnie 
balls snipped uncomfortably close. 1 promptly feigned 
being shot, and laid prostrate for a minute or two, then in 
a stooping posture made the best time I could and soon 
reached Falling Creek, here a dilemma confronted 
me, the stream was not wide, but its swift current gave 
evidence of depth, after searching, a short distance, a 
path was found that led to a log that enabled me to cross 
and in a few minutes was inside the Fort, and delivered 
the dispatch to General Hagood. 

The battle was still raging and the fitter bearers 
were busy carrying the wounded to the roar, nearly all 
of whom were shot above the shoulders as they were firing 
behind breastworks. As I was in citizens dress the sol- 
diers looked I'ather askance at me, and my desire to fire 
the Belgium rifle over the breatworks was minimized by 
the fear of getting a bullet in my head, moreover, it was 
nearly sundown and a good excuse to return to the Bluff". 
The fear of b< ' ) target for the sharpshooters prevented 
my returni^ ay I came. Having often driven from 

46 



Petersburg to Ricliiiioiid, 1 knew the turnpike eould not 
be very far distant so 1 started in searcli of it. On reach- 
ing the bridge that spans the little stream, the sentinels 
lialted me. 1 informed them of my having a dispatch 
from the commander at the Bluff to General Hagood, and 
1 disliked to return as I came, on account of l)eing in 
I'ange of the enemy's sharpshooters. They paid little 
attention to what was said and refused, possitively, to 
let me pass. 1 remarked that I would get General Ha- 
good to give me a pass, but they said that General 
Beauregard was the only name that could pass me over 
this bridge," and his headquarters were near Petersburg. 

I was in quite a dilemma, as dark would overtake me 
in less than an hour. 

I laid my ritle on the ground, took off my coat and 
rolled up the sleeve of my left arm and showed them 
the crooked elbow joint with a bullet scar below 
and above. Now, I said, don't you think that ought 
to pass me as well as General Beauregard's name? 
Their demeanor to me changed at once, and with a look 
of sympathy they said yes, you can go on that pass. It 
was some time after dark when I reached the Bluff, and 
it was a great relief to know that Butler was hammered 
l)y the guns of Fort Stephens and all along the line so 
successfully that he was forced to retreat. 

The next incident worthy of narrating in these rem- 
iniscences, occurred about dark in the evening of a day 
that had been appointed, by President Jefferson Davis, 
lor prayers and thanksgiving to the Almighty for some 
\ ictor}' obtained by our army, i was returning from a 
walk, and, just in front of the old Farmer Bank, two doors 
above the hotel, I was approached by a lady leading a' 
little boy about six years old. ''Stranger," she said, 
'will you protect me from an intoxicated man, who has 
been rude to me?" "Certainly 1 will," was my prompt 
reply, and retraced my walk up Main Street. Before 
reaching the tirst corner, I could hear the reeling, irreg- 
ular step of the man behind me. AVIieii i)assing me, at a 
lurching gait, he swung his left arm around a lanq)-post, 



and leaned his head near my face. I paid uo attention to 
him. But on reaching the corner of Ninth Street, he ran 
against the lady, pushing her forward. As lie did so I 
turned on him, and landed a blow with my fist, full in 
the face, sending him sprawling to the pavement. He 
was soon on his feet and came at me with frantic gestures 
of his arms, but his intoxicated condition ])revented the 
keeping of his equilibrium and I easily sent him again 
reeling to the pavement, where he preferred to remain, 
uttering foul and loud oaths. A crowd commenced to 
assemble. I rejoined the lady and her little boy, and, af- 
ter going a block above the "Spottswood Hotel," she re- 
marked, "I am not very far from home now, and I thank 
you most sincerely for the protection, ])ut please give me 
your address, so my husband can thank you when he re- 
turns from the army. ' ' Poor man ! He was probably kill- 
ed, and to this day I do not know who the lady was. Next 
morning, Otto Halm, who boarded at the "'American" 
called my atention to an article in the ''Daily Dispatch,'' 
headed "A Scene on Main Street," giving an account of 
the affair. If the old files have been cared for, it can be 
read. With one more adventure, this paper will soon 
close. It had been a cold rainy day, just the kind for run 
ning the blockade, and the kind, that always filled me 
with uneasiness for my safety. 

Before the door opened for dinner an officer, per- 
fectly sober, bought three tickets. I did not see his other 
two comrades, but presumed they were allright. 

After the doors had been open for nearly half an 
hour, one of the men came out and asked to have his 
money refunded, as he did not feel the desire to eat. I 
handed him the change, and, to my surprise, he returned 
in fifteen or twenty minutes, and denuuided money for 
his ticket. I told him that he had already received th<' 
money, and I had taken in his ticket. He was very much 
u.nder the influence of liquor, and vehemently denied that 
1 had returned him the money, finally using language 
t'lat angered me to such an extent, that T was forced to 

48 



>trike him a severe blow with my club, which brought a 
flow of blood. 

He ran his hand in his pocket, and naturally, I sup- 
posed a pistol or a knife would soon put an end to me, 
but he put a whistle to him mouth, and gave a shrill 
blast, then loudly caleld, ' ' Battle 's Brigade, rally here ! ' ' 
Tn less time than it takes to write it, five or six of his men 
Avere in front of the office counter, some with knives, and 
others with pistols, thirsting for revenge. 

When the soldier mentioned "Battle's Braigade," I 
instantly knew that the 3rd Alabma belonged to it, and, 
as this regiment and the 12th Virginia had been stationed 
near each other, at the entrenched camp below Norfolk, 
and many warm attachments formed, in 1861. Seeing 
■that they were bent on hurting me, I said, "Men of Bat- 
tle's Brigade, if any of you belong to the 3rd Alabama, 
I am sure you will not disturb me, when I tell you that I 
belong to the 12tli Virginia, am disqualified for military 
service by reason of a wound received in the campaign 
into Maryland in 1862." These few words acted like 
magic, and one of the number beckoned me to the side 
door, where regrets were expressed over the occurrance, 
and they agreed to take their companion away. 

The day following, I gave written notice to Wright 
and Ford, that I would give them until April 1st, to put 
some one in my place. A short while before the time ex- 
pired, Mr. Wright offered to sell his half interest in the 
furniture, and unexpired lease of the "American," for 
$100,000. After carefully considering the matter, I 
agreed to accept his offer, paying him one-half cash, and 
giving him my note at sixty days for the other half. 

Times were looking very gloomy for our cause, as the 
North had unlimited resources, and our army had been re- 
cruited to its utmost extent. On Sunday, 2nd of April, 
1865, 1 was in St. Paul's Church, seated in the left gallery 
commanding a full view of the audience. The morning 
service was over, and Doctor ^Minnergerode, as well as I 
remember, had given out his text, when the sexton, Mr. 
Tn-in, carried a telegram to Pre^«^ident Davis, and another 



to a inombcr of Jiis cabinet. Tliey quietly left the cluu-eli, 
but the cougregatioii became nervous and restless, while 
a buzz of excitement pervaded the sanctuary, and there 
was every indication of a stami)ede. Then Doctor Min- 
negerode asked the congregation to be (juiet, and he 
would read a telegram that had been sent ]\Ir. Davis, and 
dismiss them with a benediction. The telegram read, 
"Our line has been broken south of Petersburg, and the 
evacuation of Richmond will be necessary." To this was 
added a request for all a])lebodied men to assemble in the 
Capitol Square by two o'clock. In sad and solemn move- 
ment the congregation dispersed, with heavy and down- 
cast hearts. 

I hardly know what I did from that hour until night- 
fall; it all seems a perfect blank. I do know that al)out 
11 o'clock that night, I went with Mr. Ford to Cary 
Street, where we had a quantity of beans, aud other sup- 
plies, stored, and saw a mass of wagons and -soldiers, on the 
retreat from the works below and around the city, mak- 
iilg their way over Mayo's Bridge. 

On our return, we looked into the large tobacco ware- 
house, where the present tobacco exchange now stands. 
In this was stored a large quanity of tobacco, owned by 
the French Government. Through the center, at inter- 
vals of about ten feet, were piles of pine fagots; and two 
sentinels were guarding the entrance. We could get no 
information from them; so we returned to the "American 
Hotel," where we found that troops had been ordered 
to seize and destroy all intoxicating liquors and the heads 
of many barrels were knocked in, and tlu^ contents em]»- 
tied into the street gutters. 

Tired and disturbed, 1 laid down to rest, and, about 
daylight, was awkened by a terrific explosion, that rattled 
the window lights'. On reaching the office, [ was told that 
a magazine had been blown up, and the "jobacco ware- 
liouse, where the fagots were piled, had been set on fire, 
l)y order of General Elzey. ^Fain Street was full of ex- 
•"ited men, many of them having stopped over for the 

5^} 



liight, and were now hastening to join our retreating 
army. 

About eight o'clock, the wind arose, and commenced 
1o fan the flames of the burning buildings, which spread 
to the large Galego Flour Mill. In company with several 
others, by going around the upper or west end, of the 
canal basin, we were appalled by the fierce roaring of the 
flames. 

1 hurridly returned to the hotel, and found the biuld- 
ings in the rear on fire, and my room too hot to enter. My 
trunk and every article of clothing, except what 1 was 
wearing, were consumed, along with many trophies that I 
valued highly, among them the bullet that was extracted 
from my arm. 

My nephew, Eugene Pettit, a member of the Gooch- 
land Cavalry, who was with the rear guard, rode up, and 
asked if I had anything, 1 wished to send away. Fearing 
iuy watch, for which I had paid four thousand dollars, 
Confederate money, might be taken from me by tlu' 
enemy, whose cavalry were then coming up ISiain street, 
1 handed it to him, and also a beautiful enameled Geneva 
lady's watch, wdiich was purchased from a blockade run- 
ner. He galloped oft', and, about the time he reached 
Sixth and Main, several shots were exchanged, as the 
Vaiikcc cavalry cauu' dashing along . 

I ran back into the office, to save my books, and, as 
I did so, the flames were crackling and roai'ing over my 
head in a frightful manner. I carried them to the "Spotts- 
^'ood," hut what was the use! Everything was lo^t. I 
did not have enough money to buy a change v)f clothing. 

'riiey were kind to me, at the "Spottswood," where 
i remained three days, then to the provost marshairs 
office, and took the oath of allegiance to the Cnited States 
(Government, and obtained a pass to leave the city. T 
walked to Col. Jos. L. C^arrington's hospitable home. ••Sun- 
ny Side," where liis family gave me a hearty welcome. [ 
found a laj-ge number of Fedei-al s()ldi(>rs camped on the 
adjoining farm, but they were orderly and respectful. 

hi relatinii- uiy experiences at the " .\inericaii Ho- 



tel," it must uot l)e inferred that all my days were un- 
pleasant. On contrary, I had the opportunity of making- 
many pleasant and lasting friendships, and no soldier 
ever left the doors, hungry for want of money to pay for 
a meal, as many can testify, if they are still living. It 
was only when intoxicated, or insolent men endeavored 
to impose upon me, that I was forced to resent their con- 
duct. 

When the Union troops entered Richmond on that 
eventful morning, April 3rd, 1865, they found conditions 
somewhat similar to that of Napolian's Army when they 
entered Moscow. But to the credit of the 1^'ederal Army, 
let it be known, they went heroically to work fighting to 
extinguish the alarming fire. 

All of Gary and Main streets between 9th and 14th 
(except the U. S. Custom House, built of Quincy granite) 
also all of shockoe slip and around the canal basin were a 
mass of smouldering ruins before night. The bursting 
shell at the arsenal on the canal, in the western part of 
the city, gave the impression that an artillery battle was 
being fought while the twelve hundred burning houses 
were roaring like a furnace. 

When the sun dipped below the western horizon, 
on the evening of April the ninth (eighteen hundred and 
sixty, five, all that was left of the heroic Army of North- 
ern Virginia had vanished into a sorrowful band of home- 
ward-bound heroes. But they carried with them the 
blessing and benediction of their beloved leader, as an in- 
spiration and guidance for their future. They also, in 
that last sad afternoon, had cause to carry home with 
them a grateful remembrance of General U. S. Grant, 
commander of the Union Army, for his generous treat- 
ment in their misfortunes. 

Two score and eight years have w^rought a mighty 
change in the condition of the South; a wondrous shower 
of God-like power has shed its benign influence on our 
glorious, reunited country, and, though the Southern 
Army was crushed by overwhelming numbers, drawn 
from foreign countries, yet the Constitutional rights for 

52 



v.liich tliey fought are growing stronger day by day as the 
years pass away. The prophetic lines, written many years 
ago, by Virginia's poet laureate, James Barron Hope, 
will yet come true; and, as many of the readers may not 
have seen them, they will close my reminiscences. 

"In the future there will come forth some historian both 

strong and wise, 
A\'ith a love for the Republic and truth before his eyes. 
He will show the subtle causes of the war between the 

States, 
He will go back in his studies far beyond our modern 

dates, 
He will trace out hostile ideas as the miner does the lodes, 
He- will show the different habits born of diiferent social 

codes. 
He will show the Union riven, and the picture will deplore, 
He will show it re-united, and made stronger than before. 
Slow and patient, fair and truthful, must this coming 

teacher be. 
To show how the knife was sharpened that was ground 

to prune the tree. 
He will hold the scales of .Justice, he will measure, praise 

and blame. 
And the South will stand the verdict, and stand it without 

Shame." 



A copy of the^e iviniuiseences will be mailed any 
wliere in I'. S. or Canada for 25cts. 5 copies for $1.00. 

Address PHIL F. BROAVN, 

Blue Ridge Springs, Va. 



SEP U 1012 




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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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